Two Stotras Of Swami Desikan

[Guest guest]

Dear Members of the Prapatti Group:

 

Two of the members of our Group asked me thru private notes to

translate Saarvabhouma Swami Desikan"s stotras on Sri Hayagreeva and Sri

Garuda(Dhandakam). They mentioned that they would like to understand the meaning

of these two Stotras, that they are fond of reciting.I am delighted to respond

to their wishes and will do my bes to translate them.

 

As a resident of Oppiliappan Koil Sannadhi Street, I had the privelege

of being initiated into these stotras by Sri Vangipuram Navaneetham

Seshadriacharya, who was a neighbor of mine. He was also a great Sanskrit

scholar like his elder brother, Sri V.N.Sri Rama Desikacharya , who translated

all of the stotras of Swami Desikan, besides translating the Desika Prabhandam

and Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram et al..They both are from a illustrious family

of Acharyas. That is my connection to the world of Swami Desikan as a young boy

growing up next to these two giants.

 

Sri V.N.Seshadriacharya has this to say about the relevance and value of

Swami Desikan"s stotras: The Stotras of Sri Desika are unique in many

respects.They have been popular for nearly seven centuries; some of them used to

be regularly recited in temples and homes. They are the outpourings of a deeply

devoted and pious heart,inspired by the Tamil Vedas of the Alwars .Even if

judged as pure literature,their merit is by no means small. What is more few of

them are potent in alleviating the common sufferings of humanity. It is because

that some high powerful mantras ,in which Sri Desika In had,quite early in

life,became duly initiated,which he constantly recited,and which could be said

to have endowed him, atleast in part, with the remarkable mastery that he

wielded in various spheres of life(he being acclaimed by Sri Ranganayaki Thayar

as Sarvatantra Swatantra) ,have been incorporated in some of the stotras,by

reason of which they are potent as the respective mantras ,with the added

advantage that the recitation of these stotrams may be undertaken irrespective

off caste or sex, that no preliminary initiation from a preceptor is necessary,

and no strict choice of time or place or external purity is enjoined--- the

complete license that the 20th century man will most appreciate! Sri Hayagriva

Stotra,Sudarsanaashtaka and Garuda Panchasat belong to this category. Sri Stuti

and Abhitistava ,whose efficacy was proved beyond doubt even in Sri Desika"s

time are known to be matchlessly potent for fulfilment of the appropriate

wishes. One could almost assert that Sri Desika has composed these works

with an overflowing mercy for us of this century, probably foreseeing that men

of this age will hardly have time for Upasana or chanting Mantras and will lack

facilities for initiation into such techniques , but will suffer from every

stress of life ,needing consolation and divine favor at every moment in life.

---These Stotras must be made "more living" in the religious -minded homes of

this country. In this regard, I have to mention that whereas some thirty years

back ,many of these stotras used to be taught to every Sri Vaishnavite from

childhood , and regular recitations, individually or in groups,used to take

place on important occasions , there recently has been a total neglect of these

works or an unwarranted shift of emphasis ,which is not good for children. I

wish this trend were arrested in time, We should teach Young ones atleast

minimum Sanskrit, train them to recite atleast the more important of the Stotras

,and arrange regular recitations at homes and temples.I can think of no

greater spiritual practise for ensuring a high level of material prosperity for

our children." Sri V.N.Seshadriacharya"s observations were made in the year 1966

at the time of publication of the "Desika Stotramala" by his illustrious elder

brother , Sri SriRamaDesikachar Swamy.

 

I will post the translations of Sri Hayagreeva Stotram and Sri Garuda Dhandakam

in separate postings during the next few days.

 

V.Sadagopan